It Takes Two

Evan stood in front of the school staring at it with dread. He hated going to a new school, and with Dad's job it happened far too often. Each time it was a new school, new uniform, new teachers, new everything. Dad promised this would be the last move, but who knew?

Evan was still trying to get his bearings when he noticed a tall girl with brown hair staring at him. She was with a large group of friends and seemed to be the center of attention. Well, I guess I just found this school's Queen Bee, he thought to himself. The bell rang, and Evan had to pass the group to get inside. He expected to be teased, or least some comments behind his back, but Her Royal Highness herself just smiled at him and gave a little wave. He also could have sworn he heard her loudly whisper "Yum" to one of her friends. Okay, this was definitely weird, but already a better first day than some he'd had.

After the obligatory trip to the office to present himself and receive his class schedule and some general directions, Evan found himself in his first class of the day. The teacher told him to take any available seat, but when he sat down he found himself next to a boy who looked an awful like the girl he'd seen earlier. He had the same eyes, the same smile… Oh God is he smiling at me? He must be her brother; they look so much alike, Evan thought, blushing. He can't be serious. He's gorgeous, and I'm just… me. Luckily, the start of class provided a distraction, but he still felt the boy's eyes on him the whole time. Evan definitely wasn't concentrating on the lesson.

"Hey there, Gorgeous." Evan didn't have time to think before an arm linked with his as he walked down the hallway and he turned to look into the blue eyes of the Queen Bee herself. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, I'm Alexandra. What's your name, New Boy?"

"I'm Evan," he stammered. Was this really happening? Was this some kind of trick or joke? She seemed to be sincere, but she was so beautiful he must be imagining the look she was giving him.

"Hello Evan, it's nice to meet you. Welcome to the neighborhood. We're glad to have you." Did that sound as lascivious as he thought it did, or were teenage hormones making his brain turn everything into sexual innuendo? Was she rubbing his arm? "I've got to run," she said as she let him go. "I need to change before class." Change? What was she talking about? Evan felt like he was missing something. "By the way," she said over her shoulder "I've got to say, I didn't think anyone could make the school uniform look that good. Later!" She left Evan breathless and confused.

At lunch, Evan saw the boy he started thinking of as the King Bee again. Like his queenly counterpart, he always seemed surrounded by friends. It was a complete shock when the boy actually approached Evan and introduced himself. "I'm Alexander," he said as he put his arm around Evan's waist. For some reason, this announcement made his entourage giggle.

"I'm Evan." He was already lost in Alexander's eyes.

"Yeah, I know." There were more giggles and laughter, but Evan couldn't see what was so funny. It was hard to think straight with Alexander looking into his eyes and touching him. And just where was his hand going?

"Did your sister tell you about me?" Evan asked when he could think again. God, even their voices were similar, though Alexander's was much deeper. Is it possible to be that attracted to two people at exactly the same time? Evan was overwhelmed.

"Nope. I don't have a sister. I'm an only child," Alexander said with a grin then kissed Evan driving all coherent thoughts from his head once more. Afterwards, Evan was confused. With all his moving from place to place, he'd never met one person like this let alone two. They can't possibly be that much alike and not be related. He would have asked about it, but lunch was over and he had to get to his next class.

As it turned out, Alexandra was in Evan's next class, though she arrived late and out of breath. "Miss Harris," the teacher called as she walked in, "Would you care to explain your late arrival?"

Taking her seat Alexandra replied "I believe there was a meeting with the principal where I was informed that I needed to wear gender-appropriate clothing at all times. I was just getting changed."

"Perhaps if you stuck to one gender for the entire day you would get to class on time."

"Yes Ma'am. I'll remember that." Suddenly, everything clicked for Evan, as Alexandra grinned and winked at him. He walked out with her after class.

"You can change your gender."

"Yup, that's what you get when you have a hermaphroditic shapeshifter somewhere in your family tree. Alexander's my real name. I should have had something more gender neutral, but out here in the boonies they don't test newborns for that sort of thing. No one realized what I was until I started changing at about 3 or 4 years old. I'll answer to either Alexander or Alexandra, but you can just call me Alex. Most people find it's easier that way", she said.

"Why didn't you just tell me all that in the first place?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" There was that grin again. "Come on," she said as she put her arm around Evan's waist. "Let me show you around." And there was that look in her eye.

"So, you're the most popular girl and the most popular boy in school?" Evan asked.

"Yeah, and I'm all yours," she said as she kissed him then pulled him down the hallway. "We've got a little time before our next class. Come on, you can help me get changed." Oh yeah, Evan was definitely going to like this place.

A/N: Just for clarity, Evan is this chapter's incarnation of Ianto and Alex is Jack. Someone who doesn't believe in categories and "little boxes" shouldn't be restricted to just one gender.